Milner is 1-0 with a 3.53 ERA in 38 appearances for the Cubs this season. Chicago opened a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds that Friday, the first meeting between the NL Central rivals.
Across his career, Milner has a 14-9 record with a 3.80 ERA in 405 games, including stints with the Philadelphia Phillies (2017-18), Tampa Bay Rays (2018-19), Los Angeles Angels (2020), Milwaukee Brewers (2021-24), and Texas Rangers (2025).
Milner had made 10 minor league rehabilitation appearances. In Triple-A Iowa, he posted no obvious red flags, allowing only three earned runs in 10.2 innings and recording a 1-2-3 inning in his last appearance on Aug. 25.
The Cubs currently have two left-handed relievers in their bullpen: Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Rolison. These two lefties, who rank second and third on the team in appearances this season, respectively, were believed to have pitched well enough to hold their spots once Milner was cleared to return.
The decision to waive Milner comes with the understanding that players must be on a team’s roster—whether on a major-league or minor-league contract—by Sept. 1 to be eligible for postseason competition.
